Genes repressed by GDNF

The genes down-regulated by the glial cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor may account for the factor's inhibition of neurite growth.

Written byJonathan Weitzman
| 1 min read

Register for free to listen to this article
Listen with Speechify
0:00
1:00
Share

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has differential trophic effects on postnatal or embryonic dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells. In the December 4 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Sten Linnarsson and colleagues from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, describe the use of oligonucleotide microarrays to analyse gene regulation by GDNF signalling (Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2001, 98:14681-14686).

They cultured DRGs from embryonic or postnatal mice and treated them with GDNF. Microarray analysis identified 195 genes that were regulated by GDNF. Linnarsson et al. also found 310 genes that changed more than five-fold between samples taken at embryonic day 14 and postnatal day 14 (39% of which were also GDNF-regulated). A number of genes related to the cytoskeleton or cell adhesion were down-regulated by GDNF at both ages.

This result prompted Linnarsson et al. to measure the effect of GDNF on neurite extension, and they noted a ...

Interested in reading more?

Become a Member of

The Scientist Logo
Receive full access to more than 35 years of archives, as well as TS Digest, digital editions of The Scientist, feature stories, and much more!
Already a member? Login Here

Meet the Author

Share
Illustration of a developing fetus surrounded by a clear fluid with a subtle yellow tinge, representing amniotic fluid.
January 2026, Issue 1

What Is the Amniotic Fluid Composed of?

The liquid world of fetal development provides a rich source of nutrition and protection tailored to meet the needs of the growing fetus.

View this Issue
Skip the Wait for Protein Stability Data with Aunty

Skip the Wait for Protein Stability Data with Aunty

Unchained Labs
Graphic of three DNA helices in various colors

An Automated DNA-to-Data Framework for Production-Scale Sequencing

illumina
Exploring Cellular Organization with Spatial Proteomics

Exploring Cellular Organization with Spatial Proteomics

Abstract illustration of spheres with multiple layers, representing endoderm, ectoderm, and mesoderm derived organoids

Organoid Origins and How to Grow Them

Thermo Fisher Logo

Products

nuclera logo

Nuclera eProtein Discovery System installed at leading Universities in Taiwan

Brandtech Logo

BRANDTECH Scientific Introduces the Transferpette® pro Micropipette: A New Twist on Comfort and Control

Biotium Logo

Biotium Launches GlycoLiner™ Cell Surface Glycoprotein Labeling Kits for Rapid and Selective Cell Surface Imaging

Colorful abstract spiral dot pattern on a black background

Thermo Scientific X and S Series General Purpose Centrifuges

Thermo Fisher Logo